Board of Directors

Providing strong leadership and oversight to ensure every scholar receives a high-quality, transformative education.

WELCOME MESSAGE

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), we believe that every child deserves an excellent education—one built on love, high expectations, and opportunity. As the governing Board of Directors, we are proud to support a network of schools that are transforming lives and communities across the country. From our classrooms to our communities, PLA stands for equity, excellence, and empowerment. Our scholars are nurtured by caring educators, challenged through rigorous academics, and inspired to lead with purpose and integrity. Families are valued partners in this mission, and together, we are building brighter futures—one scholar at a time.

We invite you to explore our schools, celebrate our scholars, and join us in advancing the vision of our founder, Earl Martin Phalen: to create a world where every child is loved, challenged, and prepared to thrive in college, career, and life.

Nicole Fama, Executive Director of Indy Region with JRPLA graduate.

PLA Board Meetings

PLA Board Meeting Notice

REGULAR MEETING NOTICE

PLA Board of Directors Meeting 

will be held on January 20, 2026, @ 4:30 PM ET 

at 4352 N. Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235

PLA Board Meeting Calendar

PLA Board Meeting Schedule

Indiana 2025-26 Board Meeting Calendar:

October 21, 2025

January 20, 2026

April 21, 2026

July 21, 2026

PLA Board Meeting Agenda

PLA Board Meeting Agenda January 20 2026
PlA Board Meeting Agenda January 20 2026

All scheduled board meetings will be held at 4:30 PM ET at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy (4352 N. Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235) unless otherwise noted.

BOARD

OF DIRECTORS

Marlin Jackson

Super Bowl Championship cornerback, Indianapolis Colts;Executive Director, Fight for Life Foundation

Kristopher Kingery

Chief Education Officer, Gibraltar Design

Nereida A. Parks

Privacy, HIPAA, and AI Officer, Americas at Olympus Corporation

Earl Martin Phalen

CEO, George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academies

James Phalen

Retired Vice Chairman, State Street Global Advisors

Fernando Reimers

Ford Foundation Professor of Practice in International Education & Director of Global Education and International Education Policy, Harvard University

McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Act protects scholars from discrimination based on their lack of a permanent residence. Homeless Scholars are eligible to receive a variety of services including: transportation services, free meals under the school nutrition programs, limited English proficiency class, gifted and talented programs, and special education services based on a scholar’s eligibility. Homeless Scholars will not be denied enrollment based on lack of proof of residency. Please consult the McKinney-Vento Act Liaison if you need assistance. The PLA Network does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability or national origin in any employment and/or educational opportunity. No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity for which the PLA Network Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The PLA Network values diversity. Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is committed to making its websites accessible for all, including individuals with disabilities, and strives to ensure accessibility currently and as new technologies emerge. PLA welcomes questions and input on its sites' accessibility at each development phase. Please contact our Call Center at 888.655.0777 or submit feedback to Communications@PhalenAcademies.org if you encounter an issue accessing any portion of the network's websites.